I've been growing orchids off and on for a number of years but never had the proper environment to do it well. Too much rain, too much or too little sun, too cold or too warm - no place to hang or mount plants as I have mostly Sabal Palms on my property. So either I was going to do this right or quit the orchid desease. I hate doing anything half way. Over the last few years I had pretty much given up and many dies as I was gravitating to bromeliad growing and landscaping my acreage.
So, this Spring I decided to research a proper greenhouse with a feasibility analysis as to cost etc. At first I was going to build my own. We see lost of that among hobbyists. Visiting with commercial growers who mostly came out of the hobby world, I tried to learn from them and to a man they suggested to do it right and not monkey around with a home made setup. My ultimate and automated greenhouse was quoted at between 40 and 50 grand installed. That was a bit much to stomach and I cut back on my design to where I manually roll up the sides and don't have automated shades, irrigation etc. I also cut back the size to 24 x 48 and instead build a separate shade house for my bromeliads. They can handle the summer rain just fine. Jade Orchids here in Naples gave me an old (1997) greenhouse catalog by Jaderloon Greenhouses in SC. I called them and since they had an installer who would come down to Naples to put this thing up, I configured a GH for around $14K (with (6) 4x8 benches) plus installation of $8K and electrical work for another $4k. I did all the ground preparation and will finish up all inside work. Yes, it's just a hobby but I'm a year and a half from being an octogenarian and might as well do what gives me pleasure while I can.
